A Poodle?

A Poodle? That is the most common reaction when I say to people we got a new breed of dog. They are incredulous. I'm not sure if it is that they don't think of me as a "Poodle" person...as someone that can manage hair. Yes, I would understand that as I am not the world's greatest groomer. I get by. Our first Sheltie litters had ones with fitted coats. Starlight Express, Search Party, Poetic Justice. It was hard to mess up. You didn't have to take anything away, you just had to make up what was there. The Shelties in the ring today are done to the nines. Sculpted, scissored and shaped. I can't do that, I'm not that skilled.

Maybe the reason people are surprised is I told them we got a big dog that is going to be our "guard dog". They go, "a Poodle"? Bunny our white guard Poodle! The truth is, I wanted a larger dog, and realized that I am a bit allergic. The bigger the dog, the more allergic I am. So it had to be hypoallergenic. I may never have considered getting a Standard Poodle if it weren't for that reason...I think I was afraid of the maintenance! Now that she is here, I don't know what took me so long to "find" this breed! They are amazing! I am in love with Standard Poodles and I could see having another one day.

As far as the maintenance? They are high maintenance, especially if you want to show. Bunny needs to be bathed once a week and blown dry. So has had eight baths since she's been here. I scissor her, even though I shouldn't as I'm not really sure what I'm doing yet. But I am enjoying every minute and it is like doggie topiary! A change is as good as a rest, they say, and I'm enjoying the change! Adding a new breed hasn't taken away anything from the Shelties. They are still the loves of my life. The most beautiful, sensitive and EASY breed.